Tracking presidential actions and other news.
Trump II Admin Invokes State Secrets Privilege in Standoff With Judge Over Flight Details Related to Venezuelan Deportation.
Trump II National Security Officials Include Journalist in Text Group Discussing Secret War Plans.
Revokes Executive Order 14237 after Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acknowledged prior misconduct and committed to reforms, including political neutrality in client selection and merit-based hiring. The firm also pledged $40 million in pro bono services during the President’s term to support causes such as assisting veterans and combating anti-Semitism.
Directs agencies to consolidate procurement of common goods and services under the General Services Administration.
Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production. Invokes the Defense Production Act to boost domestic mineral production.
Initiates the closure of the Department of Education.
Directs agency heads to provide prompt access to relevant records and rescind guidance that hinders such data sharing. Additionally, agencies must secure data access from state programs receiving federal funding.
Find a list of executive actions recorded prior to March 24, 2025 at The List
Trump II Deports 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador Under Alien Enemies Act. And apparently in defiance of a court order from Saturday.
Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of the United States by Tren de Aragua. A proclamation directs the apprehension, detention, and removal of Venezuelan nationals aged 14 or older who are Tren de Aragua members and lack lawful U.S. residency.
Trump Signs Bill That Funds Government, Split Democrats.
Reverses a bunch of Biden-era EOs and memos:
Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss. Restricts the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from accessing federal buildings, government contracts, and security clearances. Mandates a review of the firm’s employment practices under civil rights laws. Part of a broader effort to scrutinize major law firms’ influence in government and legal matters.
Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. Directs several federal entities to eliminate all non-statutory components and reduce their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum required by law. Agency heads must report compliance within seven days, detailing which functions are legally required. Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget is instructed to reject funding requests inconsistent with this directive. Among those targeted is the US Agency for Global Media, which manages Voice of America.
The changes will have to go through public comment, etc, before they take effect.
Cuts and layoffs everywhere; highlighting this because of its size and what it portends (eliminating the department).
3/7/2025: EO:Establishment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile.Consolidates seized digital assets currently under federal control.
3/7/2025: EO:Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Adds qualification restrictions to the student loan public service loan forgiveness program, specifically disqualifies borrowers who work for non-profits that aid “illegal immigrants” or support “terrorist organizations.”
3/6/2025: EO:Addressing the Risk From Perkins Coie, LLP. Suspends security clearances for the law firm’s employees, citing involvement in the “Steele dossier” during the 2016 election and its hiring practices. Mandates a review of the firm’s federal contracts and a review of DEI practices within major law firms.
Trump Expands Tariff Exemptions.Several EOs on this if you’re interested.
3/2/2025:Defense Secretary Orders Cyber Defense Team to Relax Anti-Russia Posture. An observer suggests it’s a goodwill move as Ukraine peace talks continue.
3/2/2025:Trump II Eases Unconventional Warfare Engagement Rules. Biden era policy required White House approval for certain drone, commando strikes.
3/1/2025: EO:Addressing the Threat to National Security of the Import Timber, Lumber. Directs the Commerce Dept. to investigate whether lumber imports from Canada, Brazil, others pose a national security threat due to dumping and other market manipulation.
Revokes an EO from 2000 that directed agencies to provide non-English language materials. Directs agencies to carry out their duties as “they deem necessary” but does not direct them to stop providing non-English language materials.
Directs federal agencies to expand domestic timber production by streamlining environmental reviews, setting higher timber sale targets, and expediting project approvals. It states it aims to reduce reliance on imports, lower construction costs, improve forest management and remove regulatory delays.
Trump II Admin Signals Russia Fealty in Oval Office Ambush of Ukrainian President.
Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative. Directs agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of contracts, grants, loans, etc, and create a centralized system for spending approvals. Freezes credit cards. Instructs agencies to plan for the sale of government real estate.
Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Copper. Directs Commerce, other agencies to assess the national security implications of copper imports and the potential need for measures like tariffs or quotas to protect national security.
Making America Healthy Again by Empowering Patients With Clear, Accurate, and Actionable Healthcare Pricing Information. Directs Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to enforce existing healthcare price transparency regulations. The order requires hospitals and insurers to disclose actual prices of services, standardize pricing information, and update enforcement policies to ensure compliance.
2/25/2025: Memo:Suspension of Security Clearances and Evaluation of Government Contracts. Directs agencies to remove clearances for the law firm Covington & Burling (and a named attorney, Peter Koski), and to evaluate government contracts with the firm. Koski and Covington & Burling worked with former Special Counsel Jack Smith (Trump criminal cases).